MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Police Department received a 911 call from a woman reporting that she had been attacked on College St. in Middlebury last night.
Responding officers located Jerry L. Hoffman, 30, of Middlebury, outside his residence on College St.
Hoffman was armed with two knives and initially refused commands from officers to drop the weapons.
He fled the scene on foot, leading officers on a pursuit that ended with Hoffman running into Otter Creek, still armed with the knives.
Eventually, Hoffman complied with commands to drop the weapons and was taken into custody.
Hoffman was transported to Porter Hospital by Middlebury Regional EMS for evaluation due to exposure to cold water. After being released from the hospital, he was taken to MPD headquarters.
Following Hoffman’s arrest, officers learned that a possible stabbing had occurred, and the victims had fled the scene before their arrival.
Preliminary investigation suggests that a male and female were walking on College St. when Hoffman approached and repeatedly stabbed the male.
The victims were able to flee to a nearby residence and call 911. The male victim was transported to Porter Hospital by MREMS and later transferred to the UVM Medical Center.
His current condition is unknown. The female victim was uninjured.
The attack appears to be random. Hoffman has been charged with attempted murder and is being held at the Marble Valley Correctional Facility without bail.
MPD received assistance from MREMS, Vermont Fish & Wildlife, Vermont State Police, Vergennes Police, and the Middlebury Fire Department during the incident.
